U3A Castlemaine

Updated
29 November 2020

Updated
22 January 2020

Updated
29 November 2020

Updated
17 January 2020

To see full descriptions : click each photo

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAG WITH YOUR EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS
Details of the next walk will be emailed to members

25 November 2020
Fryers Ridge

Following further easing of COVID restrictions we had 14 walkers start out in the southern region of the Fryers Ridge State Forest in ideal conditions for walking. Initially we had a few 'race horses' leading the pack but they were soon hobbled and then the remainder of the walk was at a more leisurely pace, enabling us to stop and admire the late season wildflowers which attracted a lot of oohs & aahs and cameras working overtime. A really enjoyable, quite easy walk through varied terrain. We also actually saw some beautiful specimens of large tree ferns!

Thanks Keith for the leading the walk.

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11 November 2020
Kalimna Park North

Six walkers joined Peter at the end of Lawson Parade, by the new Castlemaine Secondary College buildings, on a cloudy morning with rain forecast for mid day. Hearts and muscles were warmed up as we climbed from the Devonshire Mine site to the Kalimna Tourist Road, along the northern section of the Kalimna Circuit Track. Crossing the road, after heading down hill the route followed the track along the western side of Moonlight Creek - an area devastated by early mining, with relics of stone huts and long-abandoned fruit trees, and some fine tall gum trees. Climbing up again along a boundary fence, we reached the gate into the area marked Trust for Nature, then along the Eastern boundary fence to the poignant Miners Grave. At the highest part in this section of Kalimna we turned left to reach another high point with views over Barkers Creek - time for morning tea. Then down a rough steep section for an easy walk to the western edge of the park. Then back up to the road to complete our 5.5 km loop walk. Many late season wildflowers added to the enjoyment of the morning, especially the Blue Pincushions Brunonia australis contrasting with the golden Sticky Everlasting Xerochrysum viscosum and Grey Everlasting Ozothamnus obcordatus.
Thanks Peter for the leading the walk.

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28 October 2020
Warburton Bridge

Eight intrepid walkers set off under blue skies and in mild conditions for what turned out to be a wonderful walk featuring fantastic sites along the historic Fryerstown race and syphons, ancient aboriginal wells carved into the rock at the base of gullies, and a great display of wildflowers. The terrain included a reasonable amount of hill walking that got our hearts pumping, and we enjoyed morning tea at a Fryerstown race trestle and syphon where it crosses Salters creek. Everyone greatly enjoyed the opportunity to walk together again, and thanks to Janobai for her research and organising such an enjoyable walk.

If anyone wants to read some history about the Loddon Race, and the features that we visited, it's in a story that I wrote for the Chewton Chat. Go to p. 10, plus see the response to the story on p. 11: https://issuu.com/chewtonchat/docs/chewton_chat_september_2020_colour The editor posted the story to the chewton.net Facebook page before publication - and was amazed to get 10,361 views! The story is also featured in the November issue of Gold, Gem & Treasure (available from news agencies).

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14 October 2020
Malmsbury Botanic Gardens to Ellis Falls

This was the first walk since the COVID restrictions had eased. Only 10 people were permitted to walk and the members enjoyed the cascading Coliban River in pleasant spring weather. Thanks John

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29 July 2020
Whipstick Forest, North of Bendigo

When the walk was advertised there was a keen interest for our members to explore north of Bendigo. As our numbers are currently limited to 10, Alan offered to lead the walk twice. And so, another group of our bushwalkers enjoyed the Whipstick forest today under blue skies and in fine weather. The members commented on how different the Whipstick is to our walks around and south of Castlemaine. The environment is very harsh for plants and native animals. Also the 1860s gold miners, who trekked through the Whipstick, would not have found life easy.
Thanks Alan for your leadership and sharing your research about the Whipstick.

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22 July 2020
Whipstick Forest, North of Bendigo

Ten of our members walked through a very different forest today. The Whipstick, north of Bendigo, is a dry environment and the hardy plants are well adapted to their difficult environment. Relics of eucalyptus oil production, surface and deep mining, as well as cyaniding to recover gold from previous diggings are all evident. We really enjoyed the walk and Alan's commentary made it even better. Thanks Alan

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8 July 2020
Barkers Creek/Walmer

Again because of the COVID 19 restrictions, only 10 members were able to participate in this walk.
The sunshine was very pleasant and the walk went well. Bryan mapped out a challenging route. The Pipeline Track is tough going! Reminiscent of The Up and Down Track, only steeper. Check out the photos!
Thanks Bryan for leading the walk.

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24 June 2020
Mt Alexander

The revised COVID 19 restrictions meant that only 10 members were able to participate in this walk.
The sunshine arrived when we got to Ed’s seat and we enjoyed our morning tea at Dog Rocks.
Thanks Keith for leading the walk.

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10 June 2020
Colles Rd to Quartz Hill Castlemaine

Our first walk back after the COVID 19 lockdown was held on Wednesday June 10 in cool, clear, sunny weather. Nineteen walkers met at the Pennyweight Flat Children's Cemetery and it was clear that we'd all missed our walks together in the bush. Social distancing rules were observed and made easier by staying mostly on formed tracks. We completed a lovely circuit walk past the Robbie Burns Hotel, then sidled up Scotchman's gully to Quartz Hill. From there we followed a marked trail towards the Garfield Wheel, turning off to rejoin the Quartz Hill track which led us back to the walk start. A beautiful walk on a lovely day in great company. Thanks Jules for planning the walk and Rex for leading it.

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PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR NAME TAG WITH YOUR
EMERGENCY CONTACT DETAILS AND RECORD YOUR APOLOGIES ONLINE

11 March 2020
Babbington Hill

On a crisp sunny morning we set off from Tram Street, Lyonville and walked into the Wombat State Forest. Bill and Deb expertly led us past the Bullarto Reservoir. After climbing through and/or straddling some fencing, we headed for Top Track and a sharp climb up Babbington Hill. After a well earned rest near the top, we continued on to Babbington Hill Track,where we turned for the walk back to Lyonville. Thank you Deb and Bill for a well thought out and enjoyable 8 km hike and Alan for pointing out the site of the original springs and information on tree markings.

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26 February 2020
Castlemaine

A strong turnout of walkers joined Jules and Rex at 8am for an enjoyable 8+km hike through the Castlemaine Heritage Park. Our leaders took turns to share their extensive and broad knowledge of the area with us. Rex provided a very interesting history of the Ajax Mine. https://youtu.be/rmIzuOz4tzU
The walk description advised an anticipated finish at 11.00am. They were spot on.
Thanks Jules and Rex, who has made a very strong recovery, for an enjoyable and informative walk.

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12 February 2020
Castlemaine

Wednesday dawned warm, with the promise of a sunny day and a mild cooling breeze. A large group of walkers set off, led by Lorrainne, towards Poverty Gully Road and five sharpish uphill sections on the road east. Once we were past the initial climbs we enjoyed a pleasant undulating 10 km walk through the forest and back to the Octopus. Lorrainne had warned us of the the steep inclines and they did test us! It was a reminder to all members to read the leader’s description and ensure your level of fitness is OK to complete the walk with the group. The group’s walking speed is about 4.5kms an hour. Thanks Lorrainne for the interesting terrain and walk.

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29 January 2020
Castlemaine

39 walkers fronted up to the Octopus by 8.00am, for the first walk of the year. 38 walkers started the walk. One "fell over" the curb arriving and was "scratched" as well as bruised and abraded. Fortunately Rex was not seriously injured. Sore and sorry, with a bit of injured pride mixed in. Gerry expertly led the walk along Forest and Moonlight Creeks and through Kalimna Park. Pleasant finish at The Dove for coffees and extras. Good walk to shake out the cobwebs, hear speeches, meet new walkers and, share stories. Thanks Gerry

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